Modular Fire Pit and Method for Use

ABSTRACT

A modular fire pit insert for placement within a pre-constructed structure. The modular fire pit includes a vertical column defining a central aperture with the vertical column including a plurality of slots for receipt of slats. The vertical column top side being attached to a horizontal flange sized to provide resting support for the fire pit within the structure. The horizontal flange include a plurality of apertures to receive accessories.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM

Not Applicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a fire pit insert for containing afire.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A fire pit has long been a gathering place for families and friends toenjoy each other's company and the outdoors. Typically, a fire pit isplaced onto the ground within a ring, placed within a stand-alonefireplace, or constructed directly into or on a patio or other outdoorstructure.

Often when a fire pit is built within a permanent or semi-permanentstructure a stone block or brick is used to form the exterior of thefire pit. In the construction of these pits, the blocks are stacked toform a vertical structure surrounding an open aperture where the fire isplaced. These vertical structuress are often formed in a circular,rectangular, or square shape.

To construct a fire pit of this type, a user will select the type andshape of block to be used. If a circular fire pit is desired, a curvedblock is used. After the block is selected, the blocks are stacked toform the fire pit to the desired size and shape. The blocks can besecured to each other using a concrete adhesive, mortar, or othersecuring elements. Upon completion of the structure, users willsometimes place a fire pit insert within this structure. These insertsare typically constructed out of steel and are sized to be receivedwithin the structure. The inserts provide protection to the structurefrom fire damage and provide added structural support.

Although the traditional fire pit insert provides protection andstability, it offers little in the way of customization and adaptabilityfor multiple uses. Therefore there is a need for a fire pit insert thatoffers the ability to customize the use of the fire pit to accommodatevarious uses such as cooking. Preferably, this fire pit is provided inuniversal sizes and shapes to allow for ease of manufacture and allowfor the construction of the fire pit structure with standard sizedlandscape blocks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A modular fire pit insert is provided that allows for adaptability andcustomization to maximize a user's fire pit experience. The modular firepit insert is designed for placement within a pre-constructed structurehaving a pre-determined size. The modular fire pit insert includes twomain structural elements; a vertical column defining a central apertureand a horizontal flange. The vertical column extends a height of themodular fire pit and forms a continuous sidewall of the modular fire pitwith the vertical column having a top edge, a bottom edge, an exteriorside, and an interior side opposite the exterior side, wherein theinterior side is adjacent to the central aperture.

The vertical column includes a plurality of slots thorough the sidewallextending from the interior side to the exterior side of the verticalcolumn. The slots are arranged in a grid pattern and in alignment onopposed sides of the vertical column. The slots are sized and shaped toreceive a rail. The rail having a width and a pair of ends defining alength of the rail. The rail ends sized to be removably received withinthe slot. The length of the rail corresponding to a distance betweenopposed slots of the vertical column, wherein the rail extends acrossthe central aperture. The rail provides a removable horizontal structureto the modular fire pit and when more than one rail is used thecombination of multiple rails provides additional structure for theplacement of accessories and objects.

The horizontal flange is in communication with top edge and extendsperpendicular and outward from the vertical column opposite the centralaperture, wherein the horizontal flange is in contact with a top of thepre-constructed structure and provides resting support for the modularfire pit when the modular fire pit is placed within the pre-constructedstructure.

The horizontal flange includes a plurality of accessory apertures. Theaccessory apertures extend through the horizontal flange and are spacedaround a perimeter of the horizontal flange adjacent to the centralaperture. The accessory apertures provide access to a cavity between themodular fire pit and the pre-constructed structure when the modular firepit is placed within the structure. This cavity and the accessoryapertures allow for the placement of a variety of accessories for usewith the modular fire pit into the accessory aperture.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the accessoryapertures are circular and sized to receive accessories having acylindrical post for placement within this circular sized aperture.Preferably, to further support the placement of accessories, anaccessory bracket is provided. The accessory bracket is removablyaffixed to the exterior side of the vertical column in alignment with anindividual accessory aperture. Although several types and styles ofaccessories may be used with the modular fire pit these accessories mayinclude, but not be limited to: grills, tables, rotisseries, or othersimilar accessories.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the modular firefit is provided in a plurality of separate pieces and assembled into thefinal complete structure. The separate pieces are included with amultitude of fastening apertures to receive a fastener for assembly.Preferably, these fastening apertures are square shaped and locatedadjacent to an edge of the piece to receive a similar shaped shank onthe fastener to aid in assembly of the complete structure.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the verticalcolumn is provided in a shape to nest within the shape of the preconstructed structure. These shapes include but are not limited to:circular, square, and rectangular. The shapes used correspond to theshape of the pre-constructed structure.

To use the device according to the present invention, a user willconstruct a structure corresponding to the shape of the modular fire pitpurchased. Preferably, this structure will be created using a standardsized landscape block having a length of twelve (12) inches and a heightof four (4) inches. These blocks will then be stacked to the form theshape and height of the structure by forming an exterior wall definingan inner cavity. After the structure is completed, the modular fire pitinsert will be placed within this structure with the vertical columnreceived within the inner cavity and the horizontal flange resting alonga top of the structure adjacent to the inner cavity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING (S)

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the present invention and are incorporated in andconstitute a part of this specification.

The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present inventionand together with the description serve to further explain theprinciples of the invention. Other aspects of the invention and theadvantages of the invention will be better appreciated as they becomebetter understood by reference to the Detailed Description whenconsidered in conjunction with accompanying drawings, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the modular fire pit insert in use,according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a circular shaped embodiment of thedevice, according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the device, according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded isometric view of the accessories of the device,according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the device with rails, according to thepresent invention; and

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a rotisserie accessory of the device inuse, according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIG. 1-6, a modular fire pit insert 10 is provided thatallows for adaptability and customization to maximize a user's fire pitexperience. The modular fire pit insert 10 is designed for placementwithin a pre-constructed structure 20 having a pre-determined size. Themodular fire pit insert 10 includes two main structural elements; avertical column 100 defining a central aperture and a horizontal flange200. The vertical column 100 extends a height of the modular fire pit 10and forms a continuous sidewall of the modular fire pit 10 with thevertical column having a top edge 101, a bottom edge 102, an exteriorside 103, and an interior side 104 opposite the exterior side 103,wherein the interior side 104 is adjacent to the central aperture.

The vertical column 100 includes a plurality of slots 110 thorough thesidewall extending from the interior side 104 to the exterior side 103of the vertical column 100. The slots 110 are arranged in a grid patternand in alignment on opposed sides of the vertical column 100. The slots110 are sized and shaped to receive a rail 120. The rail 120 having awidth and a pair of ends 121 defining a length of the rail 120. The railends 121 sized to be removably received within the slot 110. The lengthof the rail 120 corresponding to a distance between opposed slots 110 ofthe vertical column 100, wherein the rail 120 extends across the centralaperture. The rail 120 provides a removable horizontal structure to themodular fire pit 10 and when more than one rail 120 is used thecombination of multiple rails 120 provides additional structure for theplacement of accessories and objects, such as a grill 121.

The horizontal flange 200 is in communication with top edge 101 andextends perpendicular and outward from the vertical column 100 oppositethe central aperture, wherein the horizontal flange 200 is in contactwith a top of the pre-constructed structure 30 and provides restingsupport for the modular fire pit 10 when the modular fire pit 10 isplaced within the pre-constructed structure 30.

The horizontal flange 200 includes a plurality of accessory apertures201. The accessory apertures 201 extend through the horizontal flange200 and are spaced around a perimeter of the horizontal flange 200adjacent to the central aperture. The accessory apertures 201 provideaccess to a cavity between the modular fire pit 10 and thepre-constructed structure 30 when the modular fire pit 10 is placedwithin the structure 30. This cavity and the accessory apertures 201allow for the placement of a variety of accessories 40 for use with themodular fire pit into the accessory aperture 201.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the accessoryapertures 201 are circular and sized to receive accessories 40 having acylindrical post for placement within this circular sized aperture 201.Preferably, to further support the placement of accessories 40, anaccessory bracket 210 is provided. The accessory bracket 210 isremovably affixed to the exterior side 103 of the vertical column 100 inalignment with an individual accessory aperture 201. Although severaltypes and styles of accessories 40 may be used with the modular fire pit10 these accessories may include, but not be limited to: grills 401,tables 402, rotisseries 403, or other similar accessories.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the modular firepit 10 is provided in a plurality of separate pieces 130 and assembledinto the final complete structure. The separate pieces 130 are includedwith a multitude of fastening apertures 131 to receive a fastener 132for assembly. Preferably, these fastening apertures 131 are squareshaped and located adjacent to an edge of the piece 130 to receive asimilar shaped shank on the fastener 132 to aid in assembly of thecomplete structure.

The separate pieces 130 comprise components of the both the verticalcolumn 100 and the horizontal flange 200 within one singular piece ofmaterial. These pieces 130 are then assembled with the fasteners 132 andfastening apertures 130. When the modular fire pit 10 is constructed ina square or a rectangular shape a corner flange piece 203 and a cornerbrace 105 are used to complete the structure. As a rectangular or squareshape has four corners, a total of four corner flange pieces 203 andfour corner braces 105 are used. The corner flange piece 203 and cornerbrace 105 include fastening apertures 131 to receive fasteners 132.Preferably, the fastening apertures 131 and fasteners 132 are sized thesame throughout the modular fire pit 10 to aid in assembly andproduction.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the verticalcolumn 100 is provided in a shape to nest within the shape of the preconstructed structure 30. These shapes include but are not limited to:circular, square, and rectangular. The shapes used correspond to theshape of the pre-constructed structure.

To use the modular fire pit 10 according to the present invention, auser will construct a structure corresponding to the shape of themodular fire pit 10 purchased. Preferably, this structure will becreated using a standard sized landscape block having a length of twelve(12) inches and a height of four (4) inches. These blocks will then bestacked to the form the shape and height of the structure 30 by formingan exterior wall defining an inner cavity. After the structure iscompleted, the modular fire pit insert 10 will be placed within thisstructure 30 with the vertical column 100 received within the innercavity and the horizontal flange 200 resting along a top of thestructure 30 adjacent to the inner cavity.

In the preferred embodiment, the modular fire pit 10 is constructed outof steel due to its durability and fire resistance. Although steel isthe preferred material, other heat resistant materials may be used.

While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplaryembodiment(s), it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted forelements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. Inaddition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situationor material to the teachings of the invention without departing from theessential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the inventionnot be limited to the particular embodiment(s) but that the inventionwill include all embodiments falling with the scope of the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fire pit insert for placement into a preconstructed structure, the fire pit insert comprising: a verticalcolumn, the vertical column defining a central aperture, the verticalcolumn having a top edge, a bottom edge opposite the top edge, and aplurality of slots; and a horizontal flange, the horizontal flange incommunication with the top edge and extending perpendicular and oppositethe central cavity, the horizontal flange including a plurality ofaccessory apertures.
 2. A device as in claim 1, wherein the accessoryapertures are evenly spaced around a perimeter of the horizontal flange.3. A device as is in claim 1, wherein the slots are in alignment onopposed sides of the central aperture and sized to receive a rail, therail extending across the central aperture to provide support.
 4. Adevice as in claim 1, wherein the central aperture is circular in shape.5. A device as in claim 1, wherein the central aperture is square inshape.
 6. A device as in claim 1, wherein the central aperture isrectangular in shape.
 7. A device as in claim 1, wherein the modularfire pit is assembled from multiple pieces.
 8. A device as in claim 2,wherein the accessory apertures are sized to receive co-operatingaccessories.
 9. A fire pit insert for placement into a pre constructedstructure, the fire pit insert comprising: a vertical column, thevertical column defining a central aperture, the vertical column havinga top edge, a bottom edge opposite the top edge, and a plurality ofslots, the slots aligned in a grid pattern around the central apertureand sized to receive a rail; and a horizontal flange, the horizontalflange in communication with the top edge and extending perpendicularand opposite the central cavity, the horizontal flange including aplurality of accessory apertures, the accessory apertures spaced aroundthe horizontal flange adjacent to the vertical column, the accessoryapertures providing access to the space between the fire pit insert andthe pre-constructed structure.
 10. A device as in claim 9, wherein theaccessory apertures are evenly spaced around a perimeter of thehorizontal flange.
 11. A device as is in claim 9, wherein the slots arein alignment on opposed sides of the central aperture, the railextending across the central aperture to provide support.
 12. A deviceas in claim 9, wherein the central aperture is circular in shape.
 13. Adevice as in claim 9, wherein the central aperture is square in shape.14. A device as in claim 9, wherein the central aperture is rectangularin shape.
 15. A device as in claim 9, wherein the modular fire pit isassembled from multiple pieces.
 16. A device as in claim 9, wherein theaccessory apertures are sized to receive co-operating accessories.